Youth Impacting Community (YIC)
Background
Youth Impacting Community (YIC) is a group of high schoolers from the Manhattan, KS, area who want to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Members of the group are given the opportunity to learn about community needs, participate in community service projects, and award grants to local non-profit organizations that serve youth.
The program was started by the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (GMCF) in 2002. GMCF received a grant from the Ewing Kauffman Foundation to begin a youth philanthropy program in Manhattan. GMCF continues to sponsor the group by providing adult leaders and grant funding.
YIC Activities
YIC meets at least once a month during the school year to discuss grant programs, plan upcoming projects, and learn about community philanthropy. Members are asked to attend meetings and service projects and serve in leadership roles as club officers and committee members.
YIC has the privilege of granting $20,000 annually to local non-profit organizations. Members create the guidelines for the projects, evaluate the grant applications, test the project ideas for efficiency, distribute the grant money, and evaluate the effectiveness of the applications. Members of YIC can participate in an annual Grantee Reception held to honor GMCF grant recipients and the GMCF Annual Meeting and Community Foundation Awards.
Each Spring, YIC hosts Youth Volunteer Day on a weekday when school is not in session. All students are welcome to attend, YIC members or not. The service projects fulfill the requirements of the YIC program and count for service hours at Manhattan High School. Previous organizations YIC has volunteered for:
- Flint Hills Breadbasket
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc.
- Sunflower CASA Project
Area 9th - 12th grade youth are invited to join! For more information, contact MaKenna Eilert at makennae@mcfks.org.
